{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Learning to Use Joomla!|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Learn to use Joomla|}}

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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Learn to use Joomla}}

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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-footer|To learn more see the [[Glossary]]}}

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Welcome to Joomla!, a leading open source Content Management System (CMS) platform. Joomla! is a well-tested, extensible and effective tool supported by a very active and friendly community of developers and users.

:* This '''Absolute Beginner's Guide to Joomla!''' is just for you. It '''lists articles''' on this Wiki that should get you up and running with Joomla! quickly. It does include some general terms and techniques you might not be familiar with, but there is good reference material for those on the Internet.

:* '''[[Getting Started with Joomla!]]''' is a tutorial series with '''hands-on instructions''' to introduce Joomla! to people who have not previously used it. It explains all techniques step by step using screenshots. These documents are useful if you like detailed and exact explanations, but they are necessarily longer than this reference.

Although you could spend a lifetime learning Joomla!, if you master the basics you will be able to make a very attractive and useful basic website in very little time and with no special technical skills.

Most of this material was written by Joomla! Google Highly Open Participation Contestants. This work is of the highest quality and the students were inspiring to work with. Sincere thanks to all of our participants for sharing their gifts with the Joomla! community. You guys rock!

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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-footer|}}

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In short, Joomla! is composed of a [[Platform]] and [[Extension|extensions]]. There are several [[Extension types (general definitions)|types of extensions]], each capable of performing specific tasks. Some extensions are developed as part of the Joomla! project and come with your installation. If you want to add features to your site, you can install more extensions.

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__NOEDITSECTION__

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You can compare this to a computer operating system, like Microsoft Windows or Linux. You don't directly use the operating system (Joomla!); you use applications (extensions) to carry out tasks. Some applications (extensions) are immediately available on your system, but can install and remove additional applications (extensions) at any time.

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The [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task020/Joomla!%20Core%20Features%20V1.2.pdf Joomla! Core Features Guide] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299291/Joomla-Core-Features-V1-2 scribd], written by [[GHOP students/James William Ramsay|James Ramsay]] describes the features (mostly the extensions) available in each download of Joomla!.

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== Install Joomla! ==

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There are several ways to install Joomla!.

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If you want to '''test Joomla!''' and you haven't purchased a domain yet, you can install Joomla! on your own computer (without your site appearing on the Internet), you can install it using the XAMPP package. You can also create a working website at [http://demo.joomla.org demo.joomla.org], which is easy and well-supported.

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If you want your site to be '''available on the Internet''', make sure that you have an account on a web server. For most people this means signing up with a hosting company and purchasing a domain that will serve as your site's main address.

*Option Two: Conventional Installs. This method requires that you copy the Joomla! zip file to your hosting account, unzip, create a database, and then run the installation. Complete instructions can be found in [[Installation]]. This [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task167/joomlainstall.html video] takes you through the steps.

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*Option Three: Demo Site. If you used the Demo Site, you can follow the instructions provided to back up and move the site to your existing host or establish a hosting account at the end of the free 30 day trial. (Note that the Joomla! Project receives a royalty if you choose paid hosting from that site.)

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For support with installation, you can ask questions in the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=429 installation forum].

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== Learn to Use Joomla! ==

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Now that you have a working Joomla! site, you will want to start filling it with your own content and making it look just the way you want. Before doing that, it is a good idea to learn more about how to work with Joomla!. There are a number of very useful resources to help you with this.

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One way is to learn by [http://community.joomla.org/august-2008/article/522-introductory-learning-joomla-using-sample-data.html working with the sample data].

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There is also a very nice beginners visual guide to getting started with Joomla! 1.5 here: [http://help.joomla.org/files/VisualGuide15.pdf Learn Joomla! 1.5 Fast!] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/16125978/Visual-Guide-15 Scribd] (PDF 1.3Mb) written by Saurabh Bhide.

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The [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task048/joomla_15_quickstart.pdf Joomla! v 1.5 Quick Start Guide] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299418/Joomla-15-Quickstart Scribd], written by [[GHOP students/Kevin Hayne|Kevin Hayne]]. As you read the guide, walk through the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task167/index.html video accompaniment] created by [[GHOP students/Michael Casha|Michael Casha]].

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For support as you are learning, ask questions in the [[jforum:428|New to Joomla1/General Joomla! v 1.5 forum]].

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The [http://demo.joomla.org/ Joomla! Demo site] is a good place to try out many of these features if you have not yet done an installation.

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The [[Glossary]] will help you as learn more.

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== Start Creating Your Site ==

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Now you're ready to start making your own articles, weblinks, contacts, banners, and newsfeeds. Before you jump into doing this you may want to review [[Planning Your Web site]]. Or if you want to convert your current website to Joomla!, read [[Converting an existing website to a Joomla! website]].

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Before you do anything else, you should decide if you want to [[Enabling Search Engine Friendly (SEF) URLs|enable Search Engine Friendly URLs]] ([[Search Engine Friendly URLs|described here]]). Enabling or disabling them later will destroy the rankings your pages will have acquired with search engines.

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One of the first tasks you may want to do is to modify one of the templates that comes with Joomla! so that it displays your site name and logo.

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* How to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task093/replace%20the%20logo%20image.odt replace the logo image in the Milkyway template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299991/Joomla-v-1-5-How-to-replace-the-logo-image-in-the-Milkyway-template Scribd] by deckers.olivier

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* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task033/033%20-%20Create%20a%20document%20explaining%20how%20to%20modify%20the%20default%20Template.zip How to modify the default Template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300042/Joomla-v-15-How-to-modify-the-default-Template Scribd] (''Note: the document is an old version and some practices and advice may not be current.)'' by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]].

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Finally, you may want to [[Finding and installing extensions|install one or more of the thousands of extensions to Joomla!]]. Most Joomla! extensions are listed in [http://extensions.joomla.org the official Joomla! Extensions Directory (JED)]. Once you've found an extension to install, [[Installing an extension]] will tell you how to install it.

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Please remember that all extensions are developed by independent developers. If you need help with a specific extension the best source will be that developer.

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For help visit:

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* [[jforum:428|New to Joomla!/General Joomla! v 1.5 Questions]]

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* [[jforum:466|Joomla! v 1.5 Template Questions]]

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* [[jforum:470|Joomla! v 1.5 Extension Questions]]

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* [[jforum:262|Joomla! Extension Directory Questions]]

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== Keep Your Site Secure ==

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Security is always a big concern on the web. Make sure you are using best security practices. The basic techniques on the [[Security_Checklist_1_-_Getting_Started | Security Check List]] will get your site off to a good start in terms of security.

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== Getting Help ==

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The [http://forum.joomla.org/ Joomla! forums] are the among the busiest (and most friendly) support forums in the world, and they are a great place to get help and meet other Joomla! users.

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* Please make certain you search, first, before posting a question. Nine times out of ten someone else had the same issue that you had. As it turns out, we all travel a similar path.

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* Also, check the [[FAQs]]--Frequently Asked Questions.

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* Make sure you are posting in the right forum for your topic.

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* Be clear and specific in your request for help. Entries like “Help! It doesn’t work!” tend to get ignored. Try to explain everything that led up to your problem. Try to explain what your problem is. Be clear about what you want to happen. And, thank those who bother to help!

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* Use the [[jtopic:272481|Forum Post Assistant]] to help you provide more information and better explain your problem.

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* If your question/problem was solved, mark your thread as solved by editing the first post you made in that thread and changing the topic icon to the green check mark with a circle. You can also add [Solved] to your topic title. By doing this you allow other members who are doing searches to easily differentiate between solved and unsolved issues. This also saves the volunteers' time of having to open up solved topics.

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* As soon as you know things, start answering questions. Answering questions is one of the best ways to learn.

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* If someone helps you, say thank you and pay it forward by answering a question yourself.

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= Selected Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Topics =

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The remainder of this document briefly covers some slightly more advanced topics for web masters.

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== Learn to Backup and Restore ==

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Learn to backup your Joomla! database. Learn to restore your Joomla! database. Frequent backups are the best way to make sure you can recover if your site has a problem. This video entitled [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2742157386318372444 How to backup and restore a Joomla! database using phpMyAdmin] by kristofdb.

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== How to Recover Your System Administration Password ==

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Watch this video by [[GHOP students/James William Ramsay|James Ramsey]] entitled [http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1818492yRNhWTdg How to Recover your Administrator Password using phpMyAdmin].

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== Exploring the possibilities with Joomla! v 1.5 Core ==

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* Learn what is possible given the core [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task028/Joomla%20Menu%20Types.zip Joomla! Menu Types] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299861/Joomla-v-15-Menu-Types Scribd] by xalnx;

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* Understand all the options available when you create a [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task029/Issue_29_Joomla_Category_Blog_Layout_document_v2.zip Joomla! Category Blog Layout] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299872/Joomla-v-15-Category-Blog-Layout Scribd] by hashani;

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* Watch this video on [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task055/Joomla!_GHOP_Issue_055.mov How to embed media within a Joomla! article] by mdranta;

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* Explore the possibilities with [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task066/MediaManager.odt Using the media manager] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299878/Joomla-v-15-Using-the-Media-Manager Scribd] by SharifOerton;

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* Learn [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task026/Rev10-Final.zip How to Use Joomla!'s Register to Read More] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299883/Joomla-v-15-Register-to-Read-More Scribd] by drmmr763;

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* Make certain to learn how to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task104/How_to_create_a_custom_HTML_module.zip Create a custom HTML module] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299886/Joomla-v-15-How-to-create-a-custom-HTML-module- Scribd] by blitzprog;

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* Learn how to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task105/using_media_manager.zip Use the Media Manager to Offer File Downloads] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299888/Joomla-v-15-Using-Media-Manager-for-File-Downloads Scribd] by fervidfrogger;

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* Learn how to create a simple [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task106/Joomla%20Image%20Gallery.odt Image Gallery using the Media Manager] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299943/Joomla-v-15-Image-Gallery-using-the-Media-Manager Scribd] by SharifOerton;

* Take time to explore how to use the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task108/Newsflashtutorialfinal.odt News flash module to display random or rotating selection of texts] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299953/Joomla-v-15-News-flash-module-to-display-random-or-rotating-selection-of-texts Scribd] by tj.ferrell;

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* Take advantage of the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task109/task%20109.pdf Banners component and module to feature different parts of a website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299956/Joomla-v-15-Banners-component-and-module-to-feature-different-parts-of-a-website Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Branko Pajic|Branko Pajic (balvanboy)]];

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* Read through the [[Help screens]] to find out about all options available at the Back-end

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== Creating a Local Installation ==

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People creating complex websites often like to work on their own computer and to move the whole site to their web server when it is ready.

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To do this you will need to install a webserver (such as Apache or IIS), PHP and MySQL on your local machine. There are a number of tools that make it easy to do this.

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===Apache===

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For Apache you can install [http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html XAMPP] and then perform a normal web based Joomla! installation on your computer.

* How to include [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task084/joomla.odt Squeezebox in your Joomla! Website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299973/Joomla-v-15-Squeezebox-in-your-Joomla-Website Scribd] by ddcc;

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* How to include [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task085/draft3HowtoincludeSlimboxinJoomla.odt Slimbox in your Joomla! Website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299983/Joomla-v-15-Slimbox-in-your-Joomla-Website Scribd] by dsadik.

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== Learn the Basics of Joomla! Templating ==

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=== Using CSS Class Suffixes ===

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There are other simple things you can do with templates to achieve the look you need. These simple tutorials could be very helpful.

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* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task057/Joomla%20Class%20Suffix%20Guides.pdf How to use CSS class suffixes in Joomla! 1.5] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300098/Joomla-v-15-How-to-use-CSS-class-suffixes Scribd] by takercena.

* You might be interested in [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task060/task60.odt How to add JavaScript to a Joomla template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300110/Joomla-v-15-Adding-Javascript-to-your-Template Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Anner J. Bonilla|Anner J. Bonilla (annerajb)]].

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=== Troubleshooting a Template Installation ===

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If you are having trouble installing a template, see [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task061/Rev9.zip How to resolve problems with a template installation] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300161/Joomla-v-1-5-Template-Installation-Troubleshooting-Manual Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]].

Search Engine Optimization is the practice of doing whatever is needed to help make your Web site rank higher in return results for a search engine. For some, this is very important aspect of attracting visitors to their site. Most experts agree, however, that the single best way to improve your chance of getting attention on the Internet is to provide good content on a regular basis. There are several things that you can do using core functionality to make your Joomla! Web site more SEO friendly. Here are some important areas to focus.

* If you want to use IIS and Joomla!'s [[SEF]] URLs, [[IIS6 and SEF URLs using Joomla 1.5x|do this first]], then use the previous document.

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=== Remove WWW from your domain name ===

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* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task111/remove_www_from_domain6.odt How to remove "WWW" from your Domain Name and Why it matters] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300173/Joomla-How-to-Remove-www-from-domain-and-why-it-matters Scribd] by theoclymenus

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=== Create a Custom 404 Page ===

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* [[Custom error pages|Custom Error Pages, including 404's]]

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=== SEO Questions ===

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Questions on these topics should be asked in the [[jforum:544|Joomla! v 1.5 SEO Forum]].

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=== SEF URL Questions? ===

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* [[jforum:431|Joomla! v 1.5 Administration Forum]]

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== Converting an Existing Website to Joomla! ==

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Check out the [[Converting an existing website to a Joomla! website]] guide for great step by step instructions.

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= Thanks to our GHOP Contestants! =

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Most of this material was written by Joomla! Google Highly Open Participation Contestants. This work is of the highest quality and the students were inspiring to work with. Sincere thanks to all of our participants for sharing their gifts with the Joomla! community. You guys rock!

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[[Category:Landing Pages]]

[[Category:Landing Pages]]

[[Category:Joomla! user profiles]]

[[Category:Joomla! user profiles]]

Revision as of 02:33, 1 September 2012

Joomla! Beginners

Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!, Novices and What is Joomla all redirect to here.

<translate>
As someone who has not used Joomla! before, you need to know how to get started. Maybe you have a friend or a neighbour who uses Joomla! and you want a Joomla! web site of your very own. Maybe you have a small business or a club or a community that needs a web presence, and you want to use Joomla! for that purpose. Maybe you are a seasoned Information Technology professional, but you have never used Joomla! before. If so, you are just starting a very enjoyable journey and we warmly welcome you to Joomla!
</translate>

What is Joomla?

Joomla! is a CMS(Content Management System) that lets you...

...make and update web pages easily.

As a simplified explanation, think of a Joomla! website dynamically bringing together three elements.

Modules, additional pieces of special content which is also stored in a database.

Your template, which controls the design and presentation(fonts, colors and layout) of your content and modules.

Joomla! is the software that brings together the content and modules using the template to produce webpages dynamically. No more HTML pages to store, update, link together and then upload to your server.

Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!

<translate>
Although you could spend a lifetime learning Joomla!, if you master the basics you will be able to make a very attractive and useful basic website in a very short time with no special technical skills.
</translate>
<translate>
Do you want to get started with Joomla!, but you have no idea where to begin? If so, you have come to the right place.
</translate>

Understand How Joomla! Works

<translate>
You might want to learn how Joomla! is built and how its features work together.
</translate>

<translate>
In short, Joomla! is composed of a Framework and extensions. There are several types of extensions, each capable of performing specific tasks. Some extensions are developed as part of the Joomla! project and come with your installation. If you want to add features to your site, you can install more extensions.
</translate>

<translate>
You can compare this to a computer operating system, like Microsoft Windows or Linux. You don't directly use the operating system (Joomla!); you use applications (extensions) to carry out tasks. Some applications (extensions) are immediately available on your system, but can install and remove additional applications (extensions) at any time.
</translate>

What is Joomla!?

You can think of a Joomla! website as bringing together three elements.

Your content, which is mainly stored in a database.

Your template, which controls the design and presentation of your content (such as fonts, colors and layout).

Joomla! which is the software that bring the content and the template together to produce webpages.

Installing Joomla!

<translate>
Before you can begin using Joomla! you will need a working installation of Joomla! If you want your site to be available on the Internet, make sure that you have an account on a web server. For most people this means signing up with a hosting company and purchasing a domain that will serve as your site's main address.
</translate>

<translate>

Want to build a free Joomla! website?joomla.com is a newest Joomla! service that allows you to start, build and maintain a completely free website on a joomla.com subdomain for an unlimited time. The site building software features all of the Joomla! CMS core functionalities that make building a website easy and flexible.</translate>

<translate>

If you want to test Joomla! and you haven't purchased a domain yet, you can see and experiment with a working installation at demo.joomla.org. As an added bonus, the demo site provides links for creating a working Joomla! website with a 30 day trial. (Note that the Joomla! Project receives a royalty if you choose paid hosting from that site.)

</translate>

<translate>

Already have a hosting company? Joomla! is offered by most hosting companies under "One Click Installs" (also called Auto Installers) for their customers. The "One Click Install" method offers an "instant" installation of Joomla! which is quick and easy. Follow the instructions your host provides.

</translate>

<translate>

Use the conventional method of installation. This requires you to copy the Joomla! zip file to your hosting account, unzip, create a database, and then run the installation. Complete instructions can be found at Installing Joomla. Further information can be found at Joomla! Installation Resources.

</translate>

<translate>

Install Joomla! on your own computer (without your site appearing on the Internet), you can install it using the XAMPP package. Install XAMPP and then use the "conventional method" to get your Joomla! test site working.

</translate>

Learning to Use Joomla!

<translate>
Once you have a working Joomla! site, you will want to start filling it with your own content and making it look just the way you want. Before doing that, it is a good idea to learn more about how to work with Joomla!. There are a number of very useful resources to help you with this.
</translate>

Start Creating Your Joomla! Site

<translate>
Before you jump into making your own articles, categories, tags, web links, contacts, banners, and news feeds, you may want to review Planning Your Web site. There are many aspects of creating a web site to consider. For example, deciding if you want to enable Search Engine Friendly URLs and how enabling or disabling Search Engine Friendly URLs later will destroy the rankings your pages acquired with search engines such as Google, MSN and Yahoo.
</translate>

Keep Your Joomla! Site Secure

<translate>
Security is always a big concern on the web. Make sure you are using best security practices. The basic techniques on the Security Check List will get your site off to a good start in terms of security. Here is a list of more information you should read.
</translate>
{{:Security/Guide/<translate>
en</translate>}}

Getting Help

<translate>
The Joomla! forums are the among the busiest (and most friendly) support forums in the world, and they are a great place to get help and meet other Joomla! users.</translate>

<translate>

Before posting, check the FAQs--Frequently Asked Questions on the docs wiki.</translate>

<translate>

Please make certain you search the Forum post first before posting a question. Nine times out of ten someone else had the same issue that you had.</translate>

<translate>

Make sure you are posting in the right forum for your topic.</translate>

<translate>

Be clear and specific in your request for help. Entries like “Help! It doesn’t work!” tend to get ignored. Try to explain everything that led up to your problem. Try to explain what your problem is. Be clear about what you want to happen. And, thank those who bother to help!</translate>

<translate>

Use the Forum Post Assistant to help you provide more information and better explain your problem.</translate>

<translate>

If your question/problem was solved, mark your thread as solved by editing the first post you made in that thread and changing the topic icon to the green check mark with a circle. You can also add [Solved] to your topic title. By doing this you allow other members who are doing searches to easily differentiate between solved and unsolved issues. This also saves the volunteers' time of having to open up solved topics.</translate>

<translate>

As soon as you know things, start answering questions. Answering questions is one of the best ways to learn.

If someone helps you, say thank you and pay it forward by answering a question yourself.</translate>

Learning the Basics of Joomla! Templating

Creating a Local Joomla! Installation

Using Mootools

Thanks to our GHOP Contestants!

Most of this material was written by Joomla! Google Highly Open Participation Contestants. This work is of the highest quality and the students were inspiring to work with. Sincere thanks to all of our participants for sharing their gifts with the Joomla! community. You guys rock!